Page 20

This place was huge. When Beckett said his parent’s had a four-bedroom cabin on the outskirts of Banff, I’d been excited to see the quaint details of the place.

There was nothing quaint about this cabin—except maybe the décor.

I had to admit the décor made the tall vaulted ceiling over the living room feel a bit less “O.M.G.” and a bit more “Sweet.”

The walls were all exposed logs and the floors stretched throughout in warm toned planks of oak.

The entrance, although surprisingly large and separate from the living space, moved directly into the informal living room where a tall wood-burning fireplace crafted by excellent masonry work stretched up through the vaulted ceiling.

The cherry brown leather furniture shone clean in the warm light cast by the tasteful hazed glass domes strategically positioned on the walls.

A large dining room filled with the largest cedar table I’d ever seen surrounded by numerous black leather high-backed chairs.

Below large windows, lining the L of the wall surrounding the table sat cedar-crafted benches with cream-colored cushion tops.

Between the windows and benches, pillows that had no apparent uniform in color, size, or design, had been positioned with a hand that aimed for a careless, yet classy-comfortable, design-scheme.

It was between the dining room and the rustically designed kitchen that a clean pair of sliding patio doors stood.

From here, I could see the large deck and blanket of white in the wide-open back yard.

I was certain it would be paradise in the summer.

On a sigh, I turned my attention to the kitchen where I lifted the groceries onto the enormous island counter.

The cabinets were an off-white that was brushed artistically with bronze around the edges, giving an antique feel to the sprawl.

The countertops were a beautiful granite I never would have chosen from the tiny little squares they give you in the stores to pick from.

But in this kitchen, with the white creamy base, veins of chocolate and rivers of gold, it was perfect.

I was staring beneath the open stairs that faced the front entrance to a hall where I suspected was one or two of the four bedrooms the home housed, when Beckett came barreling into the front door with grocery bags in hand.

His cheeks puffed out as he shook the snow from his hood.

“Whoa,” kicking off his boots, he took the short way to the kitchen, bypassing the long route I’d taken through the living room and dining room, and instead moving straight toward the stairs, past them, and into the kitchen.

Honestly, in my minds overwhelmed state, I hadn’t even registered the shortcut.

“Cold out?” I asked, already knowing it was. Not ten minutes ago I’d been standing on the front porch waiting for Beckett to get his keys out.

“And snowing harder. We’re lucky we left when we did.”

I glanced out the bay window over the corner sink to see the large fluffy white flakes spiraling quickly to the ground. “Yeah.”

“You look around at all?”

“Yeah.”

“What do you think?”

Was that nervousness I detected in the nonchalance of his tone?

It couldn’t be. He wouldn’t care if I hated it.

He probably wouldn’t care if I loved it, either.

And I most definitely loved it. Yes, it was admittedly a bit big, but it wasn’t my house.

I didn’t have to dish out the dough to fill it, so what did I care if it was a little too large?

“It’s nice.”

“That’s it?”

Okay. Yep. I was pretty sure I was detecting apprehension. But why? “Um—it’s unique, and huge, and really nice.”

“Yeah.”

Had I disappointed him? “I can’t wait to take a tour to see the rest.”

His eyes lit and I had my answer. I had disappointed him. “Let’s get the food put away and I’ll take you around. Then I’ll make a fire.”

I couldn’t wait for a fire. I so couldn’t wait for a fire that I sort of wanted to tell him to hold off on the tour and build a fire instead, but I didn’t want to disappoint him.

He seemed excited and uncharacteristically nervous to be here, so I didn’t want to make whatever he was going through worse.

I might be the nutcracker when it came to protecting my friends, and the ice queen when it came to protecting myself—but I wasn’t heartless. At least not when it came to Beckett.

“That sounds great.”

With the groceries put away, I was closing the fridge when I felt Beckett standing close behind me.

I tensed, aware of every inch of his nearness.

About to tell him to back off, I didn’t register the heat that shot through my body when his hand moved over mine, his fingers locking around my hand.

And then I was being pulled through the kitchen, below the open stairs, to the hall I’d noted before.

I’d been right in my suspicion. A half bath was on one side of the hall, and a massive master bedroom with a large master bath and a closet Raina would die for were behind the two doors on the other.

Next, we moved upstairs where a large open living area overlooked the main floor.

The furniture up here looked even comfier, and it faced a massive television that stood surrounded by a wall of books. I’m not kidding; I nearly drooled.

That’s when I realized Beckett still had a hold of my hand, because I wanted to move toward the wall of books, but instead I was moving deeper into the room.

“Bedroom one and bedroom two share a bathroom.” He turned and pointed to another set of stairs that was more a half set. “And we’re staying up there. It’s the guest suite over the garage. It can be entered from outside as well.”

As soon as he pointed out our bedroom, my heart forgot to pace itself.

It was going on a full rampage as I climbed the stairs behind Beckett, still holding his hand.

There was another small seating area with a comfortable little chair and lamp next to two huge glass double doors.

The glass wasn’t fogged, but instead a crocodile green curtain had been hung.

Beckett opened the door and my breath snagged in my throat as my eyes widened. I’d stepped from the land of “wow” to the land of “paradise” in seconds.

The room had a feeling of warmth I never imagined was possible.

A ginormous king size bed centered the wall to my left, surrounded by a plush shag area rug in deep moss green.

Draped across the bed was a thick winter duvet with thin gold twigs threaded intricately into the fabric.

Pillows—so many pillows of brown and green and cream were positioned against the padded russet headboard.

I wanted to do nothing more than fall into the chocolate cloud that was that bed.

But then I saw the fireplace. Again, the masonry was stunning.

Large natural stones climbed the wall opposite the entrance and the hearth was begging—I mean begging, for flames.

I could already see myself lounging on a blanket on the thick brown rug that was sprawled before that fireplace.

“Suddenly sharing a room with you isn’t seeming like the end of the world.”

Did I say that aloud?

Beckett barked a laugh that had my cheeks burning. I was back to glaring, so I decided now was the time to pull my hand from his grip. He only laughed harder, tossing his head back.

“What changed your mind? The bed or the fireplace?”

“None of your business.” Yep—I was vexed.

“Come on, babe. I gotta know.”

“And why is that?”

“So I know what I need to make you want to spend every night in the same room as me.”

Was he being serious? Surely he wasn’t.

I snorted. It was entirely un-lady-like, but what did I care? “What you’d need is this exact room.”

“Really?” He raised a brow. “Well, maybe one day that could be arranged.”

“Call me when that happens.” I mumbled sarcastically, ignoring the race in my heart, padding across the oak floor to the double patio door. The snow was falling even harder now, and I shivered just at the sight of the winter storm blowing in.

“You hungry?”

Turning back to face him, I was startled still by his expression. For a moment, I stared at him and he at me. I didn’t know how to respond, or what he was thinking, so I decided to nod. “Starving.”

I should have known when Beckett asked if I was hungry, that what he was really saying was, “You should cook us dinner, Amara.”

So, I’d struck a deal. I’d cook dinner if he built a fire in the brilliantly huge fireplace in the living room.

I made a simple dinner of spaghetti with a side of garlic bread.

I’d debated on a salad too, but decided I’d save my big dinner energy for when everyone else was here.

I knew Kaiden had a lot on his mind with proposing to Raina, but I was hoping he’d at least cover the kitchen for a couple nights.

Still, if it came down to it and Raina volunteered, I knew it’d be safer if I kept my apron on.

No one needed food poisoning all the way out here.

And that’s what had me asking, “How far are we from Banff?”

“About ten minutes.”

“Really?” Well, if we weren’t that far from the hospital, surely we could take the risk of Raina killing all our guts. “That’s nice and close.”

“It is.” Beckett agreed around a large mouthful of spaghetti. “Why?”

“Just wondering.” Wind howled and Beckett looked up from his plate to glance out the large window where snow blew in white swirls outside.

The sky was beginning to turn dark, but the fire inside was crackling and warm.

I hoped tomorrow wasn’t so gray and snowy.

The gloom of the sky had cloaked the massive mountains throughout the ride, and there was no hope of seeing any more than their base through the windows of the cabin.

Still, on a clear day, there was nothing more peaceful than staring at the unmovable stone masses that stretched from the earth into the sky.

“I should probably text Kai and see what time they’re thinking of leaving.”

“You don’t think they’ll back out, do you?”

Gold eyes narrowed at the obvious distress in my tone.

But seriously, I didn’t want to spend a whole week alone in this cabin with Beckett.

Yes, I might live with the man, but there was something about being all the way out here, with the burning fire and log walls that had a certain kind of atmosphere—an almost romantic feel.

I just didn’t want him getting any ideas.

I didn’t want to let myself get any ideas, dammit.

“Not a chance. Kaiden has plans.”

“Yes,” I agreed thankfully. “Plans.”

Beckett leaned back in his chair, his eyes again narrowing on me. “Are you worried you’ll get stuck alone here with me?”

“What? Of course not.”

“Good, because I’d have to point out that we live together. Alone.”

“I know.” Could the man read minds? Seriously!

“You are nervous, aren’t you?”

“No.”

“Why are you nervous?” He leaned forward and I pushed my plate away, sighing.

“I just told you I’m not nervous.”

“But I know you’re lying.” He countered. “What I want to know is why you’d lie?”

I blinked slowly, staring at him. I was hoping that there would be a little intimidation working behind my unwavering gaze, but unfortunately, there wasn’t.

“It’s not nervousness. It might even be for the better because then we wouldn’t have to share a bedroom.”

“Ah, so you’re afraid of sleeping beside me?”

“No.” I totally was.

“Really? So tonight you’ll be fine with crawling between the sheets with me?”

“Tonight?” Heart. Racing. Fear. “Why would we share a bed tonight? There are four beds in this house.”

“Because all the bedding is fresh. If we sleep in one, someone won’t be getting fresh sheets.”

“Raina wouldn’t mind if I slept in her bed.”

“But Kaiden might.”

I blinked. “I’ll do laundry tomorrow. Surely there’s a washer in this house somewhere.”

Beckett shook his head, grinning. “You’ll sleep in our bed, babe. Don’t worry, I promise I won’t touch you.”

“You do?” I raised my brows.

“I’d never touch you, Amara.” He vowed a little harshly and I visibly flinched. “I would never touch you unless you wanted me to touch you. I’d never take advantage of you, or harm you in any way. I think I’ve proven many times now that I not only respect you, but care for you.”

I didn’t know what to say. Beckett took my emotions and twisted them around until they were a mess I could barely untangle. So I reached for his empty plate and stood, “I trust you.”

I didn’t turn around as I said the words. I didn’t want to see the righteousness I suspected lit his eyes.

It was after I’d put our dishes in the dishwasher and Beckett stoked the fire, when I turned to see him lowering his big body onto the cheery brown leather of the couch that I realized I’d lost control over my ice castle.

He’d seized my palace and I was helpless against the war he raged to claim my heart.

He might not know it, but I was a hell of a romantic and sometimes, the words he said played out in my mind for days after.

It was when I stepped into the sunken living room and Beckett twisted to pull the knit blanket off the back of the couch, holding it open for me, that I realized I wasn’t only falling for him. I’d already fallen.

The weight of the knowledge settled on my soul like a ton of bricks as fear of heartbreak slithered through my veins.

And that’s when I decided I needed to talk to someone. I needed my girlfriends. Desperately.